Malik Willis
#2 QB,
Titans
ACTUAL 2022
19 FPTS
RANK:55
2023 SEASON
21 FPTS
RANK:52
AGE
24 yrs
HEIGHT/WEIGHT
6'1'' / 219 lbs
COLLEGE
Liberty
Puts in full practice Thursday
Published: 2025-01-09
Willis (thumb) was a full practice participant Thursday, Bill Huber of SI.com reports.
One day removed from being limited due to a right thumb injury Wednesday, Willis didn't have any restrictions on his practice reps. The same can be said for No. 1 QB Jordan Love, who "looked good," per coach Matt LaFleur. With Love seemingly past the right elbow injury that he sustained this past Sunday against the Bears, Willis will settle back into his backup role for Sunday's wild-card game in Philadelphia.
Limited by thumb issue
Published: 2025-01-08
Willis was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a right thumb injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Willis joined No. 1 QB Jordan Love with a cap on his reps to begin the week, but the former's health concern wasn't known before Wednesday, while the latter's right elbow issue has been the dominant talking point as Green Bay prepares for Sunday's wild-card contest at Philadelphia. There seems to be hope in the Packers' facility that Love will be able to suit up this weekend, but Willis could be tasked with filling in again of Love doesn't make it all the way back. In his seven appearances (two starts) for the team this season, Willis has completed 40 of 54 passes for 550 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, notched 20 carries for 138 yards and another TD and lost his only fumble.
Nearly leads comeback in relief
Published: 2025-01-05
Willis completed 10 of 13 passes for 136 yards, rushed once for three yards and lost a fumble after replacing Jordan Love (elbow) in the second quarter of Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Bears.
Willis entered with the Packers trailing 14-3 but orchestrated a run-heavy comeback that culminated with a Brandon McManus field goal putting Green Bay ahead 22-21 with 54 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the Packers, Chicago answered with a game-winning field goal on the game's final play, ensuring that the Packers would remain the No. 7 seed in the NFC. Love's exit seemed precautionary, so Willis will likely return to a backup role on the road in the wild-card round against the Eagles.
Fills in for starter, maintains W
Published: 2024-10-27
Willis completed four of five pass attempts for 56 yards and a touchdown while rushing four times for 23 yards in Sunday's 30-27 win over Jacksonville.
Willis entered Sunday's contest in the third quarter after starter Jordan Love (groin) exited due to injury. Green Bay's backup performed well in the win, holding a lead handed to him by the starter early in the second half. Willis would be making his third start in place of Love should the latter sit out next Sunday's tilt against the Lions. In two prior starts for Green Bay, Willis produced three touchdowns to no interceptions.
Beats former team
Published: 2024-09-22
Willis completed 13 of his 19 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 30-14 win over the Titans. He added six rushes for 73 yards and an additional touchdown.
Willis drew his second consecutive start, this one coming against the Titans, who traded him for a seventh-round pick in late August. It wasn't a big surprise to see Willis excel as a rusher, and he played a key role in that regard in each of the Packers' first two possessions by finding the end zone from five yards away and then accounting for 57 yards on the ground on the Green Bay's second drive that resulted in a field goal. What was more unexpected was his ability as a passer, as Willis was able to accurately distribute the ball to skill-position players with the end result being four completions that went for at least 30 yards -- highlighted by a 30-yard touchdown toss to Emanuel Wilson midway through the third quarter. Jordan Love (knee) is likely to be back for a Week 4 divisional matchup with Minnesota, but Willis has filled in admirably and gone 2-0 as a starter to this point.
Another spot start in place of Love
Published: 2024-09-22
Willis will be the Packers' starting quarterback for Sunday's game at Tennessee with Jordan Love (knee) inactive, Mike Spofford of the team's official site reports.
Willis is earning his second consecutive start in place of Love, who managed three straight limited practices before being listed as questionable for Week 3 action. Love clearly has made progress in his recovery from an MCL sprain that he sustained in the season opener, but the Packers again will exercise caution with their franchise quarterback. During last Sunday's win against the Colts, Willis completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while taking six carries for 41 yards.
Expected to start Sunday
Published: 2024-09-21
Willis is likely to start at quarterback for the Packers in Sunday's Week 3 game against the Titans with Jordan Love (knee) not expected to suit up, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Love was able to practice in a limited fashion all week and was labeled as questionable on Friday's injury report, but it appears he'll sit out at least one more game while recovering from an MCL sprain in his left knee. Willis may have made that decision a little easier with his performance last week, when he completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while leading the Packers to a victory against Indianapolis. Love hasn't officially been ruled out yet, but if he does miss the contest, Willis is in line to start with Sean Clifford serving as his backup.
Effective in Week 2 start
Published: 2024-09-15
Willis completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions and added six rushes for 41 yards in the Packers' 16-10 win over the Colts on Sunday.
Willis proved more than competent with the limited gameplan he was tasked with running, and both Josh Jacobs (151 rushing yards) and his defense (three interceptions, one sack) did plenty of heavy lifting. The 2022 third-round pick also was effective as a rusher, and he did average a solid 8.7 yards per attempt on his 14 drop backs. Willis' one touchdown toss went to Dontayvion Wicks from 14 yards out late in the first quarter, and he next takes on his former Titans squad on the road in a Week 3 road matchup as Love continues his multi-week recovery.
Starting for Love in Week 2
Published: 2024-09-15
Willis will start in place of QB Jordan Love (knee) with the latter inactive for Sunday's game versus the Colts, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
At least for Week 2, this was the likeliest outcome for Green Bay's quarterback room after Love suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee in the season-opening loss to the Eagles in Brazil. Based on a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network earlier Sunday, Love is targeting a return to action Week 5 on the road against the Rams, which would give Willis two more starts in addition to Sunday's nod, while Sean Clifford backs him up. In 12 career appearances (three starts), Willis has completed 35 of 67 passes for 350 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions, rushed 32 times for 144 yards and one touchdown and fumbled four times (three lost).